wet pack
A sterile package that contains moisture after completion of the sterilization cycle, indicating process failure or packaging problems.
Full Definition
A wet pack is a sterilized package that retains visible moisture following completion of the sterilization and cooling phases. Wet packs are considered non-sterile regardless of successful biological and chemical indicator results, as moisture can facilitate microbial penetration through packaging materials. Common causes include overloading the sterilizer, inadequate drying time, torn packaging, or condenser malfunction. Wet packs must be immediately removed from circulation, investigated for root cause, and the affected load evaluated for potential reprocessing. Documentation of wet pack incidents is required for quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenated when used as an adjective; can be written as two words when used as a noun.
In Context
- "Three wet packs were identified during the morning load inspection, triggering a sterilizer investigation." — Quality control report
- "The wet pack policy requires immediate quarantine of the entire affected sterilizer load." — Standard operating procedure